In the wake of an uproar in the U.K. over the rollout of a digital identification app, which is currently, at least, not compulsory, it is reported that most states in the U.S. as well as other foreign countries are deploying similar systems.
“The U.S. continues to open up to mobile driver’s licenses (mDL) and other digital identity credentials, as the larger ecosystem of identity wallets, trust frameworks and digital ID enables growth,” Biometric Update said Wednesday.
Similar to the U.K. digital ID’s marketing – as a way for young people to be able to get drunk – the system being deployed in New York is being promoted under the same guise.
“Bars and restaurants in New York State are being walked through the process of accepting the New York Mobile ID (MiD) for age assurance, following guidance from the New York State Liquor Authority advising the state’s liquor license holders that the mobile digital credential is an acceptable form of identification for verifying someone’s age. MiD is supplied by Idemia Public Security and picked up more than 100,000 users in the first two months of use,” Biometric Update said Wednesday.
West Virginia is also on the forefront of smartphone identification apps, launching their digital ID system on Tuesday.
“Mobile digital ID is live in West Virginia. WTAP reports that WV residents now have access to digital versions of their driver’s license or state-issued ID on their mobile phones through the West Virginia mID app. The digital identity credentials can be used for airport security screening at TSA PreCheck Checkpoints, age verification and other ID checks,” Biometric Update said Wednesday. “Like New York’s, West Virginia’s mobile driver’s license system is enabled through a partnership with Idemia Public Security. The mID app, available for free download via the Apple App Store or Google Play, is designed to conform to the ISO/IEC 18013-5:2021 standard for mobile driver’s licenses. West Virginia has plans to expand its mobile ID credentials to major brands’ wallets in the near future. Next door, Virginia is also moving to expand mDL adoption through partnerships with the TSA, state police, and major technology firms.”
On Wednesday it was reported that Denmark, which had launched their digital ID back in October 2023, updated their system due to security concerns following scammers gaining access to it. It is reported that 87 percent of the population uses the service at least once a week.
“Denmark’s MitID digital identity system has received updates designed to boost the security of its app and prevent scammers from gaining access to it,” Biometric Update said Wednesday. “The update, delivered by the Danish Agency for Digital Government in November, allows the app to perform a proximity check before allowing users to transfer MitID to a new device. Scammers have previously taken advantage of transfers to access accounts by convincing victims to share QR codes or screen recordings, enabling them to replicate the app on their own devices.”
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, which has had a digital ID app since 2020, has now gained TSA approval for residents to use the app for identification at airports.
“Now, in collaboration with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), it has enabled airline passengers to use state-issued mDLs or mobile ID cards stored in Apple Wallet to complete identity verification during airport security screening,” Biometric Update said Friday. “A release says that means passengers at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) can now add an mDL to Apple Wallet and use an iPhone or Apple Watch to verify their identity by holding the device up to a credential authentication technology (CAT-2) reader. Minimal necessary data will be shared with the reader, and only after authorization from the user. The device need never leave a traveler’s hand.”
According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, most states now either have, or are setting up, digital ID programs:
Note the digital ID mDL map is the third map down on the page.